breakthrough - prayer changes things · 2019-06-17 · catherine marshall was given the inspiration...

PrayerChangesThings

T h e M a g a z i n e A b o u t P r a y e r

What it truly means to rely on God’s promises | p. 12

Catherine shares how powerful we are in our helplessness| p. 29

The BreakthroughTThhe BBrreeaaktthhroouuggh

INTERCESSORS u m m e r 2 0 1 9

2 | the Breakthrough INTERCESSOR | SUMMER 2019

Jesus is a champion

who always wins;

Who died on the cross

for all of our sins.

The ultimate fi ghter

who fought down in the heat;

Who took away the keys

from Satan to keep.

While holding the keys up

in His hand;

He is letting him know that

He is the man.

A man of His word

who always comes through;

He’s done it for me,

He’ll do it for you.

So you want to know

why I give Him glory?

Because He rose from

the dead and told His story.

Jesus t he ChampionBy Aaron Rorie II

All material © Breakthrough, Inc. | Lincoln, VA 20176 | www.intercessors.org

ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH

Board of Directors

Founders Catherine MarshallLeonard LeSourd

Chairman Vice Chairman

SecretaryTreasurerMembers

Brian WellsSuzanne MartinDiane AtkisonMichael SmithClaudette AmmonsAlfred ArcherElizabeth Smith

Staff

Ministry Director Prayer Coord.Facility Care

IT Support

Delouis PaceJeannie RyanVirginia PayneLarry BohlayerJohn FeltsStanley Milton

Production

Managing EditorEditor & Designer

EditorialCommittee

Claudette AmmonsAshley Rorie

Jami DittmeierAnna Soltis

Our Mission: Bringing together anonymously those needing prayer and Christians willing to pray for them; calling equipping and encouraging people for this work.

Contact

Office Address

PhonePrayer fax line

Email

P.O. Box 121Lincoln, VA 20160(540) 338-5522(540)[email protected]

CONTENTS | Vol. 41, Issue 2

2 Jesus the Champion Aaron Rorie II

5 From the Chairman Brian Wells

6 Editor’s Note Ashley Rorie

7 Feel I Stepped Into Nancy L. Dahl

8 Writings from Roy Borges Roy A. Borges

16 My Mama’s Prayers Shelia Smith

19 Thankfulness Kathleen Fessler

20 Poems by Loretta Loretta Wadsworth

22 A Desperate Need For Prayer Craig D. Lounsbrough

27 Your Enemy Peter MacQuarrie

28 A Word of the Lord Robert O’ Connell

29 The Power of Helplessness Catherine Marshall

32 Answers to Prayer

Our MissionBreakthrough Intercessory Prayer Ministry is here for anyone who

wants prayer. Prayer requests may be sent to us by mail, phone, email, fax, or through our website. Your prayer request is sent anonymously to six of our nearly 4,000 intercessors around the world who agree to pray for 21 days for each request they receive. You will have your own prayer team of dedicated intercessors holding your needs up before the Lord. People often report an increased sense of peace during the prayer

period. As you read this magazine, you will learn about many prayers that have been answered.

Catherine Marshall was given the inspiration for Breakthrough nearly 40 years ago. She was a best-selling Christian author who became concerned about the many prayer requests sent to her by her readers. At the same time, other readers were writing to tell her that they longed to be used by God but had no idea what they could do. God gave Catherine the vision of matching these two groups of people: those with prayer needs and those Christians

who wanted to be part of a ministry. Thus Catherine and her husband, Leonard LeSourd, began the Breakthrough ministry.

Prayer requests are identifi ed by fi rst name only and are never sent to intercessors in the same geographic location as the prayer requester. The 21-day prayer period was arrived at based on the story in Daniel Chapter 10. Daniel was praying for three weeks before the angel of the Lord was able to come and help him. The angel had been detained by spiritual forces from the fi rst day of Daniel’s prayer. Our intercessors may receive scriptural insights from God for the prayer requester. Those messages, in the form of Scripture verses, are sent to the offi ce and then forwarded to the person requesting prayer. In turn, prayer requesters send their answers to prayer to the staff which are then forwarded to the intercessors as encouragement for their faithfulness in praying.

We want to hear from you. Pray about becoming one of our interces-sors. It is a small expenditure of time compared to how it will impact your life and change the lives of others. As you read this magazine, think of your own stories of answered prayer that you would like to share. Our editorial committee will consider them for publication in The Breakthrough Intercessor. Remember also to send us your prayer requests. It is our privilege to pray for you.


From the ChairmanHello Beloveds,

Lately the Lord has brought several people across my path that have had their confi dence in God shattered. One in particular asked God if it was His will for them to marry a certain person. And because God did not say “No”, they took that as a “Yes”, and agreed to become engaged. Then as time progressed and an engagement party took place, and wed-ding plans were being made, previously hidden things about this other person became revealed. Now, after the engagement has broken off, she felt greatly betrayed by God. Her big question was, “After trusting in God to lead her, why did God allow her to be deceived?”

I believe this gal was very sincere in her approach to God. In her past she was very confi dent before God in spiritual decision making. But she now is deeply hurt, and has no confi dence before God! She had operated under the wrong philosophy of, “If God believes this is a wrong decision He will stop me, otherwise it must be OK, because I am being sincere.” A person who does not wait to hear from God about a matter, can make horrible mistakes! God wants us to cultivate a relationship with him that will wait on Him for as long as it takes. We are not to hurry important decisions. I waited on God for two years before He confi rmed to me that Carol was to be my wife. Oh what a joy is is to know, and to not have to wonder what the will of the Lord is! This year we will celebrate 37 years of wonderful, married life, and all the glory goes to God!

During important decisions, God wants us to reverence Him, to wait on Him, to wait before Him. A person who will refuse to go forward until they know for sure they have heard from God will be blessed by God for doing so. Conversely, the person who goes forward without knowing, may be making the mistake of their life, and may not know until it is too late. We know God will always be there to pick up the pieces, but it may take that person years before having confi dence before God again, if they ever truly regain it.

God promises to lead and guide us (John 16:13). He promises to direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). But we must wait until we have actually heard from God. And when this requires patience, we must allow patience to have her perfect work (James 1:4). Wait on God (Psalm 62:5).

God bless you all,

SUMMER 2019 | the Breakthrough INTERCESSOR | 5

Editor’s NoteEditor’s NoteAs we began to see the beauty of summer As we began to see the beauty of summer

arriving with all of God’s creations, we arriving with all of God’s creations, we see the renewal of plant life. Just as God see the renewal of plant life. Just as God renews and refreshes everything we see renews and refreshes everything we see outside, I want God to “Create in me a outside, I want God to “Create in me a clean heart... and renew a right spirit clean heart... and renew a right spirit

within me.” (Psalm 51:10 KJV) within me.” (Psalm 51:10 KJV) Summer is truly a beautiful season. It is Summer is truly a beautiful season. It is

usually associated with hot weather, but it usually associated with hot weather, but it may also be a season full of rain. may also be a season full of rain.

Sometimes in our life, we have our “hot” Sometimes in our life, we have our “hot” moments where everything seems dry, moments where everything seems dry,

boring, or we may even feel overheated & boring, or we may even feel overheated & overwhelmed with situations going on in overwhelmed with situations going on in

our lives. When God brings the “rain” to our lives. When God brings the “rain” to our lives, expect to be “showered” with His our lives, expect to be “showered” with His love, grace, and mercy. After a good rain, love, grace, and mercy. After a good rain,

you can always expect you can always expect things to grow, and be things to grow, and be

rejuvenated. Let the joy of this season rejuvenated. Let the joy of this season shower down blessings upon you, and may shower down blessings upon you, and may

you grow daily in Christ Jesus.you grow daily in Christ Jesus.

Many Blessings,Many Blessings,Ashley RorieAshley Rorie



Feel I Stepped IntoBy Nancy L. Dahl

Feel I stepped into sacred ground when I stepped into this silent place.

For there I sat in a chair, another chair across from me,an empty chair to hear the invisible voice

that would soon talk to me in silence.In life I heard some say,

“The loudest voice is heard in silences.” Could it be Godspeaking to me?

I am a commoner—nothing out of the ordinary,but the ONE is speaking to me.

I am asking questions, “Why am I here?”The Voice is speaking to me, speaking to all that are

listening.This quiet Voice is giving us comfort,this Voice speaking in quiet moments.

Moments are all we have;God has all the time.


VictoriousVictoriousPrayerPrayer

Writings from Roy BorgesWritings from Roy Borges

been asking God to release me from this prison. He hasn’t released me yet, however, I’ve learned to trust Him and that prayer is more than getting what I want. God uses prayer to help me learn and grow. God answers my prayers not by giving me what I want, but by challenging me to change my ways. As a result, I’ve been able to accomplish many things in the thirty years I’ve been locked up in prison. For example, I never imagined that God could use me to write

When you’ve been incarcer-ated for thirty years, prayer becomes a battle. You don’t have to be in prison to know that prayer battles against the powers we cannot conquer on our own: “For our wrestling is not against fl esh and blood…but against the powers, against the world-rulers of this dark-ness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Therefore, we need God’s help to be victorious in this battle. For thirty years, I’ve


about things He is teaching me. Or, that He could use my experiences in prison to help others. In a culture of pride, with nowhere else to pin the blame but on my own selfi sh de-sires—I wanted to have my cake and eat it too. Yet prayer sits waiting like a piano waits for the fi ngers to touch the keys and play music that touches the heart of God. What if we really believed the promises found in John 14:12-14? “And whatever you

ask in My name, that will I do. If you ask anything in My name I will do it.”In His name—according to His character and will. His name is not a magic formula to fulfi ll our selfi sh desires. If we are sincerely following God and seeking to do His will, then our requests will be in line with what He wants, and He will grant them. Prayer is not a request, it’s warfare. Most of us think of the Lord’s Prayer as the mod-el. (Matthew 6:9-13)


Jesus taught us the ele-ments of prayer through this passage. However, He didn’t intend our prayer to be a few short verses. He hears every request. In Luke, we are told He went up into the mountains and prayed all night because He knew prayer was a battle. (Luke 6:12) My battle of prayer begins every morning on my knees. I believe prayer can do anything that God can do, and God can do anything! He is omnipo-tent. Prayer can solve any prob-lem. John Bunyan wrote in Pilgrims Progress, “Prayer will make a man cease from sin, and sin will entice a man from prayers.” God will never answer self-ish prayers. Prayer is warfare and “greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.” (1John 4:4) We have what we need to be victorious in the battle—Christ lives in us. God will not hear our prayers if we have sin in our heart. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18)

Our confession of sin must be continual because we continue to do wrong. But true confession requires us to listen to god and want to stop doing what is wrong. David confessed his sin and prayed; “Cleanse me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12)When we refuse to repent or when we harbor and cherish certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. Tear that wall down, repent and live for Christ. James says, “Humble your-self in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10) James gives us fi ve ways to do this:1. Submit to God, commit your life to Him, and let Him control it.2. Submit to God, resist the devil, and God will draw near to you. Don’t let Satan tempt you.3. Cleanse your hands, purify your heart, replace your de-sires to sin with your desire to experience God’s purity.4. Be sincerely sorry for your sins.5. Humble yourself before


God and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)God knows me and He loves me regardless. So I pray, Lord forgive me and help me to learn the secret of victorious prayer.

“Humble yourself in the sight of

the Lord, and He will lift

you up.” (James 4:10)

12| the Breakthrough INTERCESSOR | SUMMER 2019

God’s PromisesBy Roy Borges


The distance between my expectations and my realities is enormous. I believe in the promises of God. I know what it is like to hear God’s prom-ises, to be an overcomer, and yet spend so much more time overwhelmed and defeated. I know His promises of love, joy, and peace cannot be replaced. We all had godly aspi-rations that never be-come a reality. Why do the problems seem to be replacing the promises? As a follower of Jesus, I see God’s promises as a goal. I dream of a life blessed and a future fi lled with God’s love, joy and peace. But as the writer of Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV) says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” when we stop dream-ing and hoping, we lose something precious that God has planned for us. The negative thoughts keep crowding our minds. The second half of this same proverb says a mag-nifi cent truth: “...but a

dream fulfi lled is a tree of life.” The more we delight in God’s promises the more fruitful we are. On the other hand, the more we allow those who ridicule God to affect our thoughts and attitudes, the more we separate our-selves from our source of nourishment. As I look back on my life, I can see many mis-takes and regrets. Then I realized why my expecta-tions distanced my reali-ties. I lacked the essential requirement—faith.My dreams soured and broke down many times because I hadn’t been willing to trust and per-severe with faith through the hard times and trials. The writer of Proverbs also warns, “A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil” (verse 13:19). Whether a desire that was accomplished is good or bad, depends on the nature of the desire. It is sweet to the soul to

achieve worthwhile goals. But not all goals are worth pursuing. When you set your heart on something, you may lose your ability to assess it objectively. With your de-sire blinding your judge-ment, you may proceed with an unwise relation-ship, a wasteful purchase, or a poorly conceived plan. Stubbornness is not a faithful virtue. The problem isn’t that God’s promises are faulty; it’s that many of us aren’t willing to do what’s necessary to see them ful-fi lled. Our selfi sh desires are more important to us and we ignore what God wants. So how do you get your expectations to become a reality? The answer is to give God complete control of your life. Simple? No! When God is in total control of your life you no longer do things the way you want to do them. You do what you know God wants you to do. You trust Him.

That means you can’t have your cake and eat it, too. When you’re fi lled with God’s Spirit, your char-acter and conduct change. You are different and you act different. You learn how to say “No” to those things that have kept you from following God. You become His repre-sentative not because of your ability. God is not looking for ability but for availability. When you make yourself available, you are accomplishing His will. Your expecta-tions become your realities because you are trusting God and you know: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

14| the Breakthrough INTERCESSOR | SUMMER 2019

Roy Bor ge’s stories ha v e app ea r ed i n many Christian publi-cations. He won AMY Foundation awards in 1998, 2002, and

2003. Roy’s book “Faith and Love Behind Prison Fences” was published in 2002.

How can Breakthrough maintain a network of nearly 4,000intercessors who pray faithfully and individually for each request they receive?

Gifts of StockMaximize tax-deductible contribu-tions by making a charitable stock donation with an account you have owned for at least one year. You won’t pay capital gains tax and will receive an income tax deduction for the asset’s full fair market value.

Transfer SecuritiesWire transfer to Breakthrough through our broker at Fidelity Investments (1-800-544-6565), ac-count ID number X37-243558, DTC 0226. Please notify Breakthrough of your intentions so your gift can be tracked and properly receipted.

Leave your LegacyConsider leaving Breakthrough a gift in your will to en-sure that our ministry can continue calling, equipping, and encouraging people in the work of faithful intercession. In-clude the following wording: “I give, devise, and bequeath to Breakthrough, Inc., tax identifi cation number 23-7423474, P.O. Box 121, Lincoln, Virginia 20160 (insert amount, per-centage, or nature of gift, or remainder of estate) to be used for its ministry purposes.”.

Email: [email protected] Mail: Breakthrough Editor, P.O. Box 121, Lincoln, VA 20160

Has God taught you about prayer? Has He answered prayer and you want to share it?

Do you write prayer poetry?

The Intercessor’s editors welcome submissions! Some Guidelines:-Articles 500 to 1,000 words. Poems, 12 lines minimum-Topic must focus on prayer: an experience or teaching supported in Scripture - Authors give Breakthrough permission to edit material for length and content


My Mama’s My Mama’s PrayersPrayersBy Sheila SmithBy Sheila Smith

Looking back, it seemed dearest Mama was always on her knees in prayer. Her knees were calloused from spending so much time there. She prayed for me all through my life. She never stopped, even when I walked away. She prayed all the more for me to return home and even with more passion for me to yield to Jesus’ urgent call. I would wake early in the morn-ing and fi nd her on her knees in prayer. A light shone around her. She had a glow when she was in prayer and even afterwards. 16 | the Breakthrough INTERCESSOR | SUMMER 2019


She had a smile on her face like no other time. Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts to pray may be feeble. However, the power of prayer is in the heart of the One it is said to and not only the one who says it. Mama knew when her prayers were answered, and when they weren’t, she would not/ did not give up. Our prayers do make a difference. If Jesus thought it was worth it to clear His agenda to pray, wouldn’t it be wise for us to do the same? Mama knew answered prayers when she received it and did not give up when she did not see the answer. Before I go anywhere else, I should go to God with my burdens, my needs, my desires, and my dreams. Mama talked to God because she knew that He listens. Not just hears, but really listens. I can talk to God because He listens. Psalm 116:2 says that, “He bends down to listen.” Mama was all of fi ve

feet tall, yet she was the tallest on her knees. From there she arose to the throne room of Almighty God. My Mama was small, yet she was a mighty warrior wearing the full armor of God as she prayed. Mama’s face was full of grace, yet wrinkled by years of warfare. Mama’s eyes refl ected the Light of Life. One could see Jesus in her face. Mama’s face always revealed a look of love – for God, for family, for all others–even strangers. Mama prayed alone as she went about her day. Late in the night or early in the morning, it was Jesus and Mama. Mama prayed with others when they had a need. As she prayed, she listened for that still small voice from within. Mama battled the enemy in warfare, boldly speaking the ever-powerful Word. She was often weary yet so victorious. She used her sword to break the enemy’s hold. Mama sung praises to


her Lord with a heart of thanksgiving and, ever so humble, Mama prayed. When Mama prayed she left the results to the Father. She entered the prayer room with a bur-den so intense. She left it all at the foot of the cross. Mama’s prayer did not end when she spoke her fi nal request. She knew there was more–much more. She knew the best was yet to be. Mama was silent as she waited to hear from the Holy Spirit. Her heart was open, always ready to receive all there was for her. Her mind was silent to hear what the Father had to say. She intensely listened. The best was yet to come. She sat in His presence with joyful an-ticipation. She waited to hear His voice even in the midst of the storm. When she did not hear His voice, she knew it was yet to be. Her heart, her mind, her spirit, she knew it was coming. She spoke words of mercy, words of His

wisdom, and words of His love. Mama prayed, often feeling the pain for others. She prayed with expecta-tion for what was to come. Mama prayed with thanks-giving for answers yet to be given. Mama prayed in song as she worshiped her King. Mama prayed with tears when her heart was broken for another. Mama prayed with a smile when she was in His presence so grand. When I get to my eternal home, Mama will greet me. I know that to live in His presence is where I am going because of Mama’s prayers.

Sheila began writing in her teens to fi ll an empty place in her life. At fi rst, she wrote to express her feelings and pain, but now her current writings are

inspired by the Holy Spirit.

I love you Mama!


Lord help me to be grateful

For all you’ve given meBenefi ts from heaven

For my eyes to see

Sunshine rain and deep blue skyBig white clouds above

Flowers to delight my eyesThe sound of mourning dove

A hummer at the feederSound of moving wings

Lovely fl ash of colorAn awesome sight it brings

A morning cup of coffeeThe taste of crunchy breadFriends to share my mealsSoft pillow for my head

A hug from someone specialYou know she really cares

A friend who shares a sorrowMy burden she now bears

Lord hear my humble prayerAs I on bended knee

Remember now to thank youFor all you do for me

Thankfulness Kathleen Fessler


I don’t understand it, but one night as I was asleep, I started praying. It was like Jesus had given me a list of names and I prayed for each one until Satan tried to stop me. His efforts failed until he started stuffi ng my mouth with cotton (fi guratively). I had to escape, so I poked a hole in the cotton and yelled, “Jesus!” as loud as I could.Jesus came to my rescue, making Satan depart and then I woke up. Praise the Lord for the Name that saves.

The Name That SavesBy Loretta Wadsworth

Poems by Loretta

Seek…and Find.Seek…and Find.By Loretta Wadsworth

“I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will fi nd; knock, and it will be

opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and he who

seeks fi nds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

(Luke 11:9-10)

Compassionate and gracious Father, you invite me to go to you in prayer and seek your

will; and you promise that when I knock, the door, “will be opened [to me].” So, Lord, enable me to persevere in my

praying; to keep knocking when I lay before you requests from my heart, and please give me wisdom, and a sharp sensi-tivity to your guidance so that

I am praying your will, and then provide me the strength I need to carry out your will.

Grow me into a person of prayer who rejoices

in your presence and revels in the privilege

of prayer.

Loretta has been writing about her experiences with the Lord for many years and enjoys writing poetry as well as sto-ries. She hopes to

write and share more as the Lord allows her.



world. It is time to pray as we have never prayed. Included in this article are a series of quotes regarding prayer. It is my hope that they will enlight-en you, compel you, and lift you to pray as never before.

Quotes to Galvanize Our Prayers “Prayer penetrates the un-derside of heaven and sends the full force of an invisible realm hurdling against the ad-versaries that are too naïve to understand what’s about to

The desperate need for prayer in our world can hardly be understated. It is the invin-cible porthole that grants us access to the halls of heaven and the throne of God. It is the hope for this world of ours since the solutions of men are simply that–of men. And since men have crafted the devastation and darkness that lays thick and dense around us, I doubt that the solutions of men will cure it. It is by bold, persistent, and dogged prayer that we will change the

A Desperate Need For PrayerCraig D. Lounsbrough


descend upon them.” “I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have come to prayer broken far beyond any conceivable hope of repair. I have likewise come without anywhere to turn simply because, much like myself, everything around me lies broken beyond repair. I cannot tell you how many times God has taken that which is broken and has used it to do what could never have been done should any of that had been whole.”

“I am convinced beyond words to convey that prayer is infi nitely more than the mind-less ranting of some poor, de-lusional soul talking to some imaginary friend in some imaginary place. Oh, to the contrary. Prayer is the man-ifest pleading of a soul worn raw that, by the simple act of prayer, unleashes untold forc-es that we can’t imagine that surge in a descent so massive and so inconceivably powerful that the ground of everything before them shakes. And in


insurmountable, for to think that such an adversary exists is to run a fool’s errand. It will shield me in its advance, it will beckon me to anticipate the miracles that it is about to wield, and in the midst of it all it calms me as it whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.” And because of these reasons and a million more, I fi nd prayer the single greatest place that I could ever imagine being.” “I don’t fi ght battles by pen-ning words or crafting syntax designed to bring people to tears by liberating their hearts or calling out their souls. Nor do I fi ght them by sitting with untold thousands and granting them counsel in the darkness of their darkest hours. No. Rather, I fi ght them prone on my knees in morning’s dark-ness before the sun has roused a wounded world awake to feel its pain yet again. I fi ght them throughout the day as I “pray without ceasing” because troubles befall us without ceasing. I fi ght them by praying for the impossible in lives devastated beyond redemption, for rogue nations

this descent lives are changed beyond recognition, nations are transformed beyond comprehension, and history is brought to its knees in the face of a God who says “be healed.” That, my friend, is nothing of a delusional soul or imagi-nary friend or any other such nonsense.” “Do not be fooled. Passive prayers hastily tossed out as some second-thought appease-ment at those junctures when life’s more pressing duties benevolently grant us a mo-ment of reprieve are nothing of prayer. Real prayer is fi rst realizing the fact that prayer ‘is’ the pressing duty. And second, that real prayer is doggedly pushing everything else aside to deliberately act on that fact.” “How do I tell you what prayer is? It is everything that I need every time I kneel in the practice of it. It shakes the infi nite alive and sets its armies afoot in defense of me. It will never run aground or fi nd itself drowning in the waters of the adversity that I bring to it. Nothing it faces is


that spread destruction as though destroying life was the answer to life, for the weak who stand teetering precari-ously on some emotional or relational or fi nancial abyss, and for an impossible number of situations that everyone else has deemed as impossible. I fi ght in prayer. And despite the massive weaponry avail-able to mankind, I am utterly convinced that a single man on his knees in humble peti-tion before God exceeds the armament of all the world’s nations combined. This is what I believe. And therefore, this is how I fi ght.” “Prayer is where I trade the rhetoric of men for the promises of God. It is where I petition perfection instead of count on those who somehow survived an election. It is to accept the incomprehensible invitation of God to have this weak voice of mine thunder down the halls of heaven and roll up to the throne of the God of all eternity so that as small as I am, I might have an audience with this “King of kings.” It is where my fatigue becomes a stage upon which

“I am utterly convinced that a

single man on his knees in humble

petition before God exceeds the

armament of all the world’s nations

combined.“

Craig possesses ten years of experience in pastoral ministry. Having fi ve pub-lished books, Craig has had other works published in a wide

variety of magazines. Craig founded an outpatient practice that provides counseling, coaching and consulting services to individuals, marriages, families, as well as church and minis-try organizations. Craig is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, a Certifi ed Professional Life Coach, and an Ordained Minister. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

God can unveil His strength in stunning fashion, and where my fear is obliterated by His courage. Prayer is where I rise above this tangled world and fi nd myself enveloped by a world that I visit today, but will live in tomorrow. Prayer is utterly indispensable to this cringing existence, for unless I rise above it I will be con-sumed by the darkness of it. Prayer is this and does this and will always be this.”

Conclusion It is my prayer that your life becomes an existence irrefutably defi ned by prayer so much so that you cannot see yourself as anything less. That by being on our knees we raise the world to stand on God’s promises instead of tripping over man’s folly. And that in it all, we are the unbri-dled force through which God rips down this veil of darkness and throws the brilliance of His light to every corner of every life. It is my prayer that you pray, and that by virtue of that action all that we know is blatantly, brilliantly and eternally transformed beyond recognition by that most po-tent and providential action.


By Peter MacQuarrieYour Enemy

Be alert,and pray.Prayfor the dayyour enemyshall be saved.Praythat your enemyshall fi ndyour Lord.Prayso your enemyshall receivea reward.


A Word of the LordRobert O’Donnell

From the beginning of time I have spoken to my children. I speak to

the heart while others speak to the mind and intellect. I have spoken to prophets of old as after creating the

world I shaped it. I showed My Paths and taught My Ways. I made covenants with men that have

remained valid through ages. I have poured out great hope and love and promises to those who revere and

follow My Word. Although I sometimes speak in a small still

voice, My children listen and hear. My Word is precious to them as they seek guidance. Seek Me often. Listen to My voice. I will not fail you. I look forward to the time we are together. Until then, we will converse as you

seek Me. I love you, my special ones.


The Power ofHelplessnessCatherine Marshall


When I lived in the nation’s capital, I used to notice how often the Washington papers reported suicide leaps from the Calvert Street Bridge over Rock Creek Park. In fact, this hap-pens so repeatedly that the site is often called “suicide bridge.” It was easy to sense the human tragedy behind these brief no-tices–the plunge of the young wife of an Air Force major who had learned that she had an inoperable cancer, or that of the elderly man whose wife had just died.


These were people in the grip of circumstances which they felt helpless to change. They saw no way out of their predicaments except the way that lay over the bridge. Helplessness is a terrify-ing thing to most of us. We resist it, deny it, and when we are fi nally face to face with it, a few of us fi nd that we are unable to endure it. Yet I often thought that if I could speak with such persons at the zero hour, I would use one thought to try to stop them in their mad race toward death. That thought would be that help-lessness is actually one of the greatest assets a human being can have. In clichés like “God helps those who help themselves” there is but half-truth. Of course, if there were no God we would do well to work up all the self-confi dence and self-suffi ciency possible. When we could no longer muster it, we would react as did those people who took their last walk to the Calvert Street Bridge. But since God does exist, then the cult of self-suffi -

ciency is mistaken—tragi-cally so in some instances, misleading in all. In my case, the most spectacular answers to prayer have come following a period when I could do nothing for myself at all. The Psalmist says, “When I was hemmed in, thou hast freed me often.” Gradually I have come to recognize this hemming-in process as one of God’s most loving and effective devices for teach-ing us that He is gloriously adequate for our problems. This was fi rst brought home to me at the time of Peter Marshall’s death. On that chilly January morn-ing in 1949—as I looked at my husband’s face for the last time, then turned to leave the bare little hospital room—it seemed like whis-tling in the dark to believe that God could bring good out of such a tragic loss. For to me and others in Wash-ington and across the nation, the stilling of this effective, prophetic voice at forty-six seemed tragic waste indeed. Here was the ultimate in-helplessness—death. Some-times life fi nds us powerless before facts that cannot be



changed. Then we can only stand still at the bottom of the pit and claim for our particular trouble that best of all promises, that God will make even this to “work together for good to them that love God.” So that is what I did, and the great Alchemist set to work. I, who was a novice at writing and editing, put some of Peter’s sermons together to form the book, Mr. Jones, Meet the Master. From the work I got immense satisfaction and some assuagement for my sore heart. Then came the thought of a book I might write myself. Bit by bit my childhood dream of becoming a writer seemed to be coming true. This only began to happen after God had underscored for me again—so that I would never forget it—the creative power that can begin at the point of helpnessness.


God will make even

this to“work together for

good to them that love

God.”

Catherine Marshall (1914-1983) was a bestsell-ing author and founder of Breakthrough, Inc. Article used with permission from Beyond Our Selves.


nswers toAPrayerREJUVENATION

My neurologist treating Parkinson’s disease changed my evening med-ications and doubled my morning medications. I have slept the best I have in 10 years, and have raised my energy levels to levels I had 10 years ago! Praise God!!

GOOD NEWS

My biopsy came back negative—for which I am very thankful! Praise God! Mary Ann

Fred

RECOVERYI fi nally got a clean bill of health today! Th e melanoma has been re-moved and free of infection. Daugh-ter-in-law is also recovering from her breast cancer as well. Th e Lord has been in our midst through this time of testing! Ann

GRANDCHILDRENMy two grandchildren are now em-ployed! Not only are they employed, but received jobs they wanted!

Angela


FINANCIAL BLESSINGI received a fi nancial blessing. Th irty years past, while I was stationed in Hawaii, I was cast in a TV episode. Th en I had several changes of station including Panama, England, and fi nally back to the states. Residuals had been held in trust for 30 years! I am so grateful to God for looking into the future and making provision for my needs in 2019.

Tracey

Joan

RESTORATIONPraise God my husband and I are doing better with our relationship in Christ! We are now leading a small freedom group! Maria

GRATEFULNESSPneumonia and U.T.I. cleared up! I am truly grateful!!

HEALINGGod is truly at work! My daughter went in for knee replacement surgery that went miraculously well. In three days she was walking and climbed stairs! See what prayer can do! Charlotte

MIRACULOUSMy mother was expected to die in the hospital, but she’s now at home with my father! Praise God! My mother is slowly improving. It’s good to hear her singing hymns all night!

Nina

AMAZEMENTBuck was originally diagnosed with cancer, and now NO CANCER! Th e oncologist is in amazement, and thinks it’s something infl ammatory in nature...Th is is God Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit curing him!!

Patrice

SPEEDY RECOVERYI had fallen down a fl ight of stairs about a month ago, but I thank God for my leg and back healing! I thought I wouldn’t be able to teach Bible class. I had only missed one week of Bible class, and God is using it in an amazing way.

Janet

INCREASEFor the fi rst time in over 10 years, my prayer was answered for an increase! My tax refund is enough to help pay my bills! Praise God!

Nancy

BREAKTHROUGHAft er some major fi nancial tests, John has had some wonderful fi nan-cial miracles and breakthroughs! Th ank you Lord!

Lisah

PAID BILLSI thank God for my two cousins deciding to send us money to meet our bills each month. So praise be to God!

Pamela

DELIVERANCEGod has been delivering me from many things and I give thanks to Him! I thank God for taking care of me through my distress.

Jonathan

BLESSINGSGod has been showering me with blessings through friends and through family. Th ank you good Father for your many blessings! Pam

RESTORED VISIONPraise God for my successful cataract surgery and restored vision! Yeah Lord!!

Kim

GOD’S GOODNESSTh e Lord answered my prayers! My daughter got the results back as normal from her pap smear! Th ank you Lord!!

Susan


In Honor of

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Joanne KoopalethesJacqueline Rosencrance

Suzanne MartinPatricia Butler

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Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6-7)

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breakthrough - prayer changes things · 2019-06-17 · catherine marshall was given the inspiration...

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